Gaura lindheimeri plant named &#39;benso&#39;

ABSTRACT

Described is a new Gaura Lindheimeri plant having pale pink flowers and a dense plant habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a new Gaura Lindheimeri planthaving the varietal denomination ‘BENSO.’ ‘BENSO’ was discovered as aseedling variant of the variety Gaura Lindheimeri ‘SISKIYOU PINK’ in acontrolled planting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The new variety of a Gaura Lindheimeri plant is an evergreenmedium perennial shrub which has a dense, spreading, growing habitdistinguished by its pale pink flower color and dense plant habit.Asexual reproduction of the new variety by vegetative cuttings in WongaPark, Victoria, Australia has demonstrated that the distinguishingcharacteristics are transferred through succeeding generations.

COMPARISON WITH PARENT

[0003] The new variety differs from its parent, ‘SISKIYOU PINK’, inhaving a pale pink flower color and a more dense plant habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

[0004] The accompanying illustration depicts specimen plants of the newvariety in color as true as possible in color photographic illustrationsof this nature.

[0005]FIG. 1 shows the plant of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0006] The following is a description of the new variety taken fromplants grown out-of-doors in Wonga Park, Victoria, Australia during themonth of April. Color designations used herein are from the 1995 RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart (“RHSC”).

PLANT

[0007] The plant grows in a spreading habit with dense, vigorous growth,attaining medium height.

FOLIAGE

[0008] Leaflet:

[0009]Size.—Medium.

[0010]Quantity.—Medium to dense.

[0011] Color:

[0012]Upper side.—Near 137B.

[0013]Under side.—Near 137B.

[0014] Shape: Leaves are linear to lanceolate.

[0015] Texture:

[0016]Upper side.—Smooth with fine pubsescents.

[0017]Under side.—Smooth with fine pubsescents.

[0018] Veination: Reticulate.

[0019] Edge: Slight undulate margins observed.

WOOD

[0020] New shoots:

[0021]Color.—Near 137C, 137D and 138A.

[0022]Bark.—Smooth with fine pubsescents.

[0023] Old wood:

[0024]Color.—Near 199A.

[0025]Bark.—Smooth with fine pubsescents.

[0026] Winter hardiness: Winter hardy to above −5° C.

[0027] Resistance to disease: Good, observed to be generally diseaseresistant.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

[0028] Arrangement: Stamens, filaments and anthers are regularlyarranged at the base, but bunched in a pendular formation.

[0029] Filaments: White.

[0030] Anthers: Crimson to brown.

[0031] Pollen: Yellow.

[0032] Styles: Thin, singular, long length.

[0033] Stigma color Pale green/yellow.

[0034] Hips:

[0035]Shape.—Oval to linear.

[0036]Size.—Small with no seed protrusion.

FLOWER

[0037] Arrangement: Racemes are pendular and of a long length.

[0038] Color: Flower bud tip color and base color is near 179B; petalbackground color is pale pink, near 56D, with petal veins and margins ofcolor red, near 55B.

I claim:
 1. A new Gaura Lindheimeri plant of the variety substantiallyas shown and described.